The iPod has become the must-have fashion and gadget item for a full generation. Having an iPod gives the wearer entree to many social activities and groups. That little white wire immediately identifies who can join and who may get a cooler reception.

Usually when it comes to consumer electronics my preference is to buy used or refurbished. In the case of this item, for this occasion, a refurbished iPod will certainly do the job - and at a lower price. Like most parents in North America, when it comes to getting gifts for our kids we are always inclined to get the newest, or the hottest, or the flashiest-and pay top dollar. But there are good reasons to consider buying a refurbished iPod, and here are three of them.

Quality Assurance

Refurbished iPods start out as an item returned to the store under Apple's Return and Refund Policies. It is then returned to Apple. At Apple it undergoes a stringent refurbishment process regardless of why it was returned. So if a Nano was returned because someone wanted a black nano and got a pink nano it will still undergo the same refurbishment process. This means that each and every returned iPod is fully tested, refurbished with Apple parts where necessary, is thoroughly cleaned and then inspected. This means that the refurbished iPod has had the benefit of individual attention and its quality is assured.

The One-Year Apple Warranty

The refurbished iPod has had the benefit of being thoroughly checked out by Apple technicians. As a result it is covered by the Apple One-Year Warranty. So if you were to buy a refurbished iPod, you won't have to worry about any defects - just return it and the Apple warranty will take care of the rest.

Good as New

In addition to all of this, a refurbished iPod leaves the factory looking like a new iPod in every way. It is repackaged with the appropriate manuals, cables, software,etc. and in new boxes. It even has new parts and serial numbers. So when your teenager receives it, it'll be like it had been just purchased from a store. And they can go back to school with a like-new Apple iPod.

Most people would expect that given all of this individual attention, the refurbished iPod would be priced at the regular price. The fact of the matter is that these units are resold at a discounted price. So someone buying a refurbished iPod will receive a fully inspected, warranted, and re-packaged MP3 player at a discounted price.

Back to school can be pricey enough. If your child has been dropping hints about an iPod, then the smart thing to do is to look into a refurbished iPod first.